Tumalo burglar tries to take ATM, settles for smokes

Video released, tips sought for apprehension

Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies released surveillance video Monday in hopes of finding a burglar who tried to use his pickup to drag an ATM out of the Tumalo Country Store early Sunday, but had to settle for more than $3,000 worth of cigarettes.

A report of a burglary in progress brought deputies to the store at 64683 Cook Avenue around 1:45 a.m. Sunday, said Sgt. Bryan Husband.

They arrived a short time later and learned the suspect or suspects had fled in a smaller dark, possibly blue or purple SUV, heading north on Cook Avenue toward Cline Falls Highway, Husband said. A search of the area failed to locate the vehicle, he added.

Deputies said the man in the surveillance video has a stocky build and appears to be in his mid to late 20s, clean-shaven with possible light-colored hair.

Husband said the suspect was wearing black gloves with white writing on them, a gray “hoodie” sweatshirt with the hood up, greenish Carhartt-style pants, brown hiking boots and a grayish baseball hat.

The video showed the suspect break through one of the store’s glass entry doors, then attack a strap of some sort to the ATM machine inside the business and try to drag it out of the store with his SUV, backed up next to the front doors, Husband said.

Finding he was unable to drag the ATM out, he went back in with a container of some sort and stole about 530 packs of various brands of cigarettes, valued at nearly $3,200.

Husband said the store owner was still determining the cost in damage caused by breaking the glass front door and trying to drag the ATM machine out.

Anyone with information that could help in finding the suspect was asked to contact the sheriff’s office at (541) 388-6655 or county dispatchers at their non-emergency number, (541) 693-6911.

You can also contact the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-877-876-TIPS, or use the form on KTVZ.COM’s Crime Stoppers page. You can remain anonymous, and you could be eligible for a cash reward.

Copyright 2012 KTVZ. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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